impermanent
im-PUR-muh-nunt
/ɪmˈpɜːrmənənt/
Not permanent; lasting only for a limited period.
A direct negation of permanent; often used in spiritual contexts (like Buddhism) to describe the world.
The story behind the word. Formed by adding the prefix 'im-' (not) to 'permanent'. 'Permanent' comes from the Latin 'permanere', which means to 'stay through' or 'remain to the end'. Therefore, impermanent is that which cannot stay through to the end.
Word relationships
- temporary: Temporary often implies a plan to replace it; impermanent simply states it won't last.
- permanent: Permanent means intended to last or remain unchanged indefinitely.
Commonly confused with
- mutable: Impermanent means it will end; mutable means it is capable of changing its form.
Word family
- impermanence (noun): The state of not being permanent.
Collocations
- impermanent structure
- impermanent nature
- impermanent solution
- impermanent state
Example sentences
- "The sandcastle was a beautiful but impermanent monument to their afternoon at the beach." Describing a physical structure.
- "The first lesson of the philosophy class was that all physical forms are impermanent." Philosophical context.
Memory hook
Im- (not) + Permanent. It's the literal opposite. Not here to stay.
When not to use
Can be used almost anywhere 'temporary' is used, but is slightly more formal.
Fun facts
- The concept of 'Anicca' in Buddhism is the doctrine of impermanence, asserting that all conditioned things are in a constant state of flux.
Related words
Explore more words
transience, temporal, eternal, immutable, imperishable, imperceptible
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